Rilla Elizabeth King

Graveside services for longtime Mancos resident Rilla Elizabeth King will be held at noon on Friday, Dec. 28, at Summit Ridge Cemetery. A luncheon will be held immediately following the services at the Lewis Arriola Community Center.

Visitation has been set for Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Rilla was born Dec. 5, 1918, in Linn County, Mo. the daughter of Essy Lee Lyons and Emma (Trumbo) Lyons. She passed away at Valley Inn on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Rilla was 94 years old.

On June 8, 1947, Rilla married Norman Arthur King in Farmington, N.M. A ranching partnership began with their marriage and Rilla spent her time helping Norman for the next 40 years until his death in 1977. Rilla was a charter member of Colorado Cowbelles. She also spent 10 years as a school teacher.

Surviving Rilla are her three daughters, Irene King of Omaha, Neb., Janice Swenson of Dolores, and Helen McCann and husband Mike of Camp Verde, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Rilla was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman King; and by two sisters, Evelyn Halpen and Ruth Compton.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.